Most people don’t fear negotiating. They fear the *moment* — the eye contact, the pause, the worry they’ll sound greedy. Email removes all of that. You get to be calm, precise and brief, and the other side gets time to say yes without losing face.
The catch: a vague email gets a vague answer. Here’s how to write one that moves the number, plus two templates you can adapt today.
Three rules before you hit send
- Anchor to the market, not your mortgage. “Comparable roles pay X” is a fact they can act on. “I need more because rent went up” isn’t.
- Name a number. A specific figure or tight range signals you’ve done the work. “A bit more” signals you haven’t.
- Stay warm. You want a long working relationship, not a win. Collaborative beats combative every time.
Template 1 — Countering a job offer
You have the most leverage you’ll ever have right after they choose you and before you say yes. Use it.
Subject: Re: Offer — [Your Name]
Hi [Name], thank you for the offer — I’m genuinely excited about the role and the team. Based on my experience in [skill/area] and what comparable [role] roles pay in [city], I was hoping we could land the base at [target]. Is there room to move toward that? Happy to jump on a quick call if that’s easier.
Template 2 — Asking for a pay rise
No surprises in a hallway. Put it on the agenda, bring evidence, and make the ask easy to grant.
Subject: Pay review — [Your Name]
Hi [Manager], I’d like to put my pay on the agenda for our next one-on-one. Over the past [period] I’ve [specific result, with a number if you can]. Comparable roles in [city] currently sit around [range], and I’d like to discuss moving my base toward [target]. Could we find 20 minutes this week?
The line that makes both templates work
It’s the bracket you’re least sure about: the number. Guess low and you leave money on the table; guess high and you lose credibility. So don’t guess — check your market position free, then build the full case (your recommended range, leverage points and follow-up scripts) with a SalariQ report.
A negotiation email is short on purpose. The work happens before you write it — in knowing your number.
